MALACANANG on Saturday said relief aid and standby funds worth more than P1 billion will be available to local government units (LGUs) to assist areas affected by the heavy southwest monsoon rains or 'habagat' in parts of the country.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a statement that the government was 'closely monitoring' the weather situation and that concerned agencies such as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have initiated disaster relief efforts.